It was me that made the comment that's prompted your reflections, M. Reasons ? I guess 90%+ of my friends are various shades of left and liberal, and most of my work colleagues (though probably a lower percentage) likewise. So I tend to presume those views until proved otherwise. Obviously the context is important - a majority of my extended family are small-c-conservative on most subjects, which is one reason I don't spend much time with them.

Here in Mudcatworld, the history of folk and associated musics being invested in the left/liberal outlook would be a factor, but it's only on explicitly political threads (or ones which turn that way) that you can have any kind of proof of beliefs, rather than assumptions.

So I will persist in assuming a liberal/left emphasis, because I try to think the best of people!